Back in late July, we noted that former Pitt “coach” Michael Haywood wished to meet with the school to discuss money he felt he was owed after being fired 17 days into his employment in order to “avoid litigation”.
“The only demand that we’re really making at this point is ‘hey let’s sit down. You never asked what happened. We offered to tell you what happened. You didn’t want to talk to either the coach or the alleged victim,” said Haywood’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, of Pitt’s decision to can Haywood. “‘So here are the facts now. Admit you made a mistake and let’s move past this and let Coach Haywood coach some more.’ “
Well, consider litigation unavoidable now.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports this morning that Haywood has filed a lawsuit against his former employer for about $4 million. The complaint in federal court asserts Pitt “was fully aware that he [Haywood] was embroiled in a custody dispute with his son’s mother,” and that the university fired Haywood without cause.
The complaint states that Pitt must pay Haywood $750,000 for the remaining years on his contract and $300,000 in a buyout clause.
Haywood was fired by Pitt on New Year’s Day following Haywood’s alleged involvement in a domestic abuse case.